Looking more like an imposing linebacker, Kansas University running back Angus Quigley seemed back to normal going through drills at Sunday’s open football practice.

Finally.

One year removed from a devastating thigh injury that required surgery and a stint in a wheelchair, Quigley got his feet wet during spring workouts and now is diving in, looking for significant playing time at running back as KU’s preseason camp gets going.

If he earns it, it will be his first appearance on the playing field since high school in Cleburne, Texas. A red shirt in 2005 and last year’s preseason injury have kept him out of collegiate action to this point.

“It’s nice having Angus back, man,” tight end and team captain Derek Fine said. “Did you see how big he is? That’s a big kid, man.”

Quigley is listed on KU’s roster at 6-foot-2, 220 pounds. He looked every bit of it Sunday, working as the second-team running back behind Jake Sharp and appearing to be at full speed.

He caught a few passes out of the backfield and had a nice run near the end of the workout, streaking through a seam on the right side with noticeable acceleration.

Quigley was moved from running back to wide receiver in the spring, a testament to his pass-catching abilities. But his comfort was in the backfield, and he was moved back before the summer and is getting a real chance to play.

“It’s nice having more power backs back there,” Fine said. “He’s so athletic that there’s a lot of options with anything that he can do in our offense.”

Quigley, Sharp and perhaps true freshman Carmon Boyd-Anderson will be competing for carries at running back this fall, while Brandon McAnderson will shoulder the fullback load.

While Sharp received almost all of the first-team work on Sunday, Quigley is starting to make a case that he deserves a serious look, too.

“Angus is doing well,” KU coach Mark Mangino said. “The first couple of days, he was back there feeling his way a little bit. : He’s still got a little bit of rust that’s got to be knocked off of him, but Angus is poising himself to help this football team if he continues on this track.”

lA new look: Kansas will have a single practice today before entertaining loads of reporters at its annual media day. The players will be showing off KU’s new football uniforms to the press this afternoon. The new look will feature the university-wide Trajan font on the jerseys and helmets.